Sajad Lone, Altaf Bukhari will not join NC’s Statehood protest in Delhi; Congress to take part
Regional political parties in Jammu and Kashmir, specifically the JKPC and JKAP, have declined to join the National Conference's protest in New Delhi regarding statehood. The J&K Congress has confirmed its participation, while critics argue the protest lacks consensus and bypasses the local assembly.
Why it matters
The disagreement highlights deep-seated political divisions and debates over the appropriate strategy for restoring statehood and constitutional rights in Jammu and Kashmir.
J&K’s two regional parties, the J&K Peoples Conference (JKPC), and the J&K Apni Party (JKAP), have decided not to join the ruling National Conference’s protest in New Delhi on July 20 demanding Statehood and Constitutional guarantees. The J&K Congress will however take part in the rally and also plans to hold district wise protests on July 19, a day ahead of the NC protest.
JKPC chief and legislator Sajad Lone questioned both the timing and the real motive behind Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s call for a sit-in at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
“Our party stands for the pre-August 5, 2019, status of Jammu and Kashmir: Article 370, Article 35A, and full Statehood; Article 370 is the most important of the three. Major political decisions in a democracy require consensus, not unilateral calls to the street,” said Mr. Lone.
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